The introduction to the book provides the reader with an overview of the six research projects within a research programme called ‘Knowledge Networking for Rural Development in Asia Pacifi c’ (ENRAP 2009). The role of information and communications technologies (ICTs) in development is fi rst explored. The chapter then goes on to discuss the role of ICT to support livelihoods in the rural context of developing countries. A discussion of the livelihoods framework provides the overall conceptual framework that has been used by each of the projects. Some of the problems of using this framework in the context of an ICT intervention are elaborated and ICTs are positioned as having a functional role.